Vision Benefits - Human Resources at Ohio State
Vision Benefits
Access to vision care for you and your family reflects Ohio State’s commitment to offering high-quality, affordable health plans. The Ohio State University Faculty and Staff Vision Plan provides you and your covered dependents with benefit coverage for vision care services, such as eye exams, eyeglasses and contact lenses. You can choose between Basic and Plus Plan options, both of which use the Vision Service Plan (VSP) Choice Network but offer different levels of benefit coverage.
Vision Service Plan (VSP) has expanded access to medical eye care services for VSP members and their covered dependents. Members now have access to supplemental medical eye care for sudden vision changes, eye trauma, pink eye, foreign body removal or other symptoms that hamper day-to-day activities. Members can see a VSP network doctor in-person or remotely for supplemental eye care instead of visiting an urgent care center or emergency room. Members can also use their routine VSP coverage for lost or broken glasses or replacement contact lenses to meet immediate eyewear needs by contacting their VSP network doctor. Access to optometrists during this pandemic allows members to maintain health while easing the burden on primary care physicians and emergency rooms. Learn more about the program.
Download Tools
- Vision Plan Specific Plan Details
- Summary of Material Modifications issued 4/21/2022 (Benefits coverage changes related to COVID-19)
Vision Plan Details
Effective Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2022
| Benefit | VISION BASIC 1 | VISION PLUS 1 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Copay | Description | Copay | |
| WellVision Exam |
|
$0 |
|
$0 |
| Prescription Glasses | Prescription Glasses | $25 | Prescription Glasses | $25 |
| Prescription Glasses: Frames |
|
Included in Prescription Glasses |
|
Included in Prescription Glasses |
| Prescription Glasses: Lenses |
|
Included in Prescription Glasses |
|
Included in Prescription Glasses |
| Prescription Glasses: Lens Enhancements |
|
$0 $95 – $105 $150 – $175 |
|
$0 $95 – $105 $150 – $175 |
| Contacts (instead of lenses) |
|
Up to $60 |
|
Up to $60 |
| VSP EasyOptions (choose one of these upgrades) | Not Applicable |
|
Included in Prescription Glasses | |
| VSP Diabetic Eyecare Plus ProgramSM |
|
$0 $20 per exam |
|
$0 $20 per exam |
| Extra Savings | Glasses and Sunglasses
Routine Retinal Screening
Laser Vision Correction
|
|||
| 1 with a VSP Provider *Only available to VSP members with applicable plan benefits. Frame brands and promotions are subject to change. Savings based on doctor’s retail price and vary by plan and purchase selection; average savings determined after benefits are applied. Ask your VSP network doctor for more details. |
||||
YOUR COVERAGE WITH OUT-OF-NETWORK PROVIDERS
Get the most out of your benefits and greater savings with a VSP network doctor. Call Member Services for out-of-network plan details.
Coverage with a retail chain may be different or not apply. EasyOptions Plan Benefits are not available at Walmart or Costco. VSP guarantees coverage from VSP providers only. Coverage information is subject to change. In the event of a conflict between this information and your organization’s contract with VSP, the terms of the contract will prevail. Based on applicable laws, benefits may vary by location. In the state of Washington, VSP Vision Care, Inc., is the legal name of the corporation through which VSP does business.
The Faculty and Staff Vision Plan offers you a choice of network or non-network coverage when you seek vision services. You can perform a provider search by accessing VSP’s website.
Network
If you use a VSP Choice network provider, no claim forms are necessary, simply tell them you are covered by VSP. Your vision provider should file claims directly with VSP, although you will be required to pay for your portion of the expenses at the time of service.
Non-Network
If you use a non-network provider the plan pays less for covered services than it does when you use a network provider. Your provider may require you to pay for services in full and be reimbursed from VSP by filing a claim.
The Plus Vision Plan includes EasyOptions, which allows you to personalize your coverage by choosing from a set of enhancements available for your glasses or contact lenses at the time you use your benefit.
On occasion, your vision care provider may identify a condition that is medical in nature. If this happens, the claim will be covered in part or totally by your medical insurance and all rules of your medical insurance will apply. In order to receive the maximum benefit, use a provider in your medical plan network.
DEP Plus covers certain services that relate to type 1 or type 2 diabetes. DEP Plus is intended to supplement your group medical plan. For services provided in connection with DEP Plus, providers will first submit a claim to your group medical plan, and then to VSP. Any amounts not paid by the medical plan will be considered for payment by VSP. If you do not have a group medical plan, providers will submit claims directly to VSP.
Vision Plan FAQ
Vision Service Plan (VSP) is The Ohio State University’s Vision Plan vendor. The VSP website offers members the opportunity to manage their vision plan benefit through a secure, online account. From this site, members may view vision benefit eligibility for the current plan year, locate network providers, and view their member history.
You can create your account at the VSP website. Click “Create an Account” and follow the on-screen prompts to complete your registration.
No, a vision card is not required for service. Tell your provider that you have the Vision Service Plan. Visit the VSP website to register for an account and log in. There you can print a “Member Reference Card” if you prefer to have one, but it’s not necessary when seeing a network provider.
The primary cardholder is responsible for managing the account for him/herself as well as for all covered dependents.
With the VSP Basic plan, frames are covered ever other calendar year; with the VSP Plus plan, frames are covered every year. There are also differences in the maximum allowance paid under the two plans for frames and contact lenses. EasyOptions is only available under the VSP Plus plan.
For additional information on plan differences and premium amounts, see the Vision Plan Benefit Summary.
This is intended to be an overview. Refer to the Plan Document for complete information. In the event the information on these pages differs from the Plan Document, the Plan Document will govern.
